Chapter 3 #2
White umbrellas framed a massive pool that reflected the sun so brightly I had to squint.
A drone flew overhead, dipping low over a row of models posed along the edge of the pool.
Two girls were stretched out on floating loungers, showing glossy skin and wearing sunglasses.
They may as well be naked, because I barely noticed they were wearing bikinis.
And I realized quickly I wasn’t in my usual environment.
I watched as a stylist knelt beside one, adjusting a strap while someone else misted her with a spray bottle to make her shimmer.
One of the guys from the shoot jumped into the pool, cannonball-style, without warning. The splash sent a sheet of water into the air, that reached the edge of the patio and splashed across my calves and the hem of my shorts. I gasped, stepping back instinctively.
Before I could even process it, Kier was in front of me. “My bad, are you alright?” He asked. It took a moment to realize his hand was firmly at my waist to keep me from slipping on the wet stone.
“I’m fine,” I said, smiling, trying not to look as startled as I felt. “Let me get out the way.” I laughed nervously.
He glanced down at my damp legs and shook his head, calling out to someone to grab towels. A young woman rushed over with a towel, and Kier handed it to me.
“My bad, beautiful. Shit gets out of hand pretty quickly around here,” he said quietly while his eyes scanned me to make sure I was actually okay.
“It’s okay, this looks fun.”
“It is mostly, but business too. You good though? I need to head back to the shoot, or else these niggas will get out of control. I just wanted to speak, since I noticed you walked in.”
“I’m good, handle your business.”
“Cool.” He stated, “Stay put, beautiful. I’ll be back.”
Kier disappeared back into the crowd, and I was still standing there thinking about the way his hand felt at my waist. He stalked through the set, adjusting pieces and giving orders.
Two hours had passed, and I sat in the same spot I did when we first got here.
Meanwhile, Treasure had done so many laps around the shoot that she ended up in it.
Leave it to my girl to insert herself, and I ain’t mad at her.
I watched Kier most of the time, definitely intrigued by his swag.
He caught me staring and smirked before finishing his sentence and walking over.
Another burst of laughter rose from the water as the artist finally nailed his verse and the crew applauded. The music cut for a moment while someone yelled That’s a wrap just as Kier made it to me.
“Come walk with me,” he said, taking my hand. Kier guided me around the side of the house, away from the chaos. The stone gave way to a shaded terrace overlooking the valley. The air felt warmer there, and less humid from the pool. It was quieter, and I was grateful for the relief.
“Ms. Sibley,” he acknowledged me again.
“Mr. Producer,” I replied, smiling.
“You and your girls enjoy yourselves last night?”
“Yes, we had too much fun. I really appreciate you looking out for me.
“Too much fun, huh?” he laughed. “It was nothing.”
“It was everything. You’re a complete stranger, and you made sure—still are making sure—that my birthday is more than memorable. Thank you, Kier.”
“You’re welcome, it’s all good. But, if I’m being honest, there were a few times that you looked irritated or pissed off. I couldn’t tell if you were truly having fun or not.”
Damien called a few times while we were at the club. Each time he did, I declined him, but his name on my screen alone kept changing my mood. The fact that Kier picked up on that was pretty impressive.
“You’re quite observant, Mr. Producer.”
“Only when something interests me.”
“And I interest you?”
“You’re here, aren’t you?” He asked, moving closer. I turned a little, hoping it would distract him from my blushing.
“That’s not an answer, Kier.”
“It’s the only one that matters.”
The breeze lifted a few loose strands of hair at the nape of my neck. He reached out without thinking and brushed one back gently. The touch was brief, but his hand paused for a second when he realized what he’d done at the same moment I did.
“I didn’t realize my hair was bothering you,” I said, glancing away for a second.
“Yeah, it was blocking my view.”
I swallowed slowly then smoothed the back of my hair again even though it didn’t need it.
Something about Kier’s attention made me suddenly aware of how close we were standing.
The sun caught along the edge of his grill when he smiled, and for a second the world behind him blurred. The man was indeed fine.
“You’re a busy man, Mr. Producer.” I changed the subject. “You’re rocking the club one night and now navigating a video shoot. You don’t get tired of the lifestyle, or exhausted by it, at least?” I asked.
“Only when I don’t have the right company. And now that you’ve seen it for yourself,” he added, “I want you in it.”
“Want me in it? You’ve got enough on your plate, don’t you?”
“Well, I’m a greedy man, so adding a little more to it wouldn’t hurt. Spend the summer with me.”
I blinked at him. He asked the question casually, and I knew my answer wouldn’t be simple. “I-” I let out a quiet breath. “I can’t do that, Kier.”
“How come you can’t?”
“Because I have a life here,” I said, more firmly now, noticing I was making excuses for myself. “My sister is here, and I have a career, responsibilities.”
He nodded once as if he expected that answer. “How much you make, Sibley? I’ll cover it. Whatever money you’ll miss out on for work, I’ll pay it to you.”
I straightened, wondering if I had heard him correctly. “Excuse you, you think I’m a groupie or something?”
“Nah, hell nah, that ain’t what I meant. I’m just willing to do whatever it takes to make sure I have you to myself this summer and shit longer if you let me. Unless you tryna stay with that nigga, and if so, I’ll fall back. Maybe.” He grinned.
Considering my options, I looked away for a second, out toward the pool, trying to gather my thoughts. This was insane. A man I barely knew was asking me to step into his world for an entire summer. And the crazy part wasn’t the offer—it was the fact that I was actually considering the offer.
“I ain’t never begged a woman for nothing, but I’m willing to beg you. You can bring ya girls. Whatever y’all need is on me—food, hotel, all of that shit, I got it. I got you. You can bring whoever, or whatever you need to make sure you are comfortable.
Internally, I was still making up a list of responsibilities that I didn’t actually have. But my mouth responded before my brain could make up more lies. “I… need to see what I can move around,” I said finally. “I’ll keep you posted.”
“That’s what I like to hear.” He took my hand in his and kissed it. “We leave for Vegas in five days.”